“Truly remarkable. An unbelievable level. At that age.”

Ma Yeon-jeok exclaimed in admiration. His steps were eager, as if he had discovered a supreme work of art.

As he examined Jeong Yeong-shin closely, his wrinkled face revealed undisguised amazement.

The handsome young man beside him was visibly uncomfortable.

“Greetings to my grandfather. I am Radiant Demon Wing’s Jeong Yeong-shin.”

He spoke calmly, slightly bowing his head with a cupped-hand salute.

“…?”

There was silence until he raised his head. The atmosphere was palpable. Confusion, bewilderment, intrigue…

Ma Yeon-jeok’s beard, covering the front of his purple robe, trembled slightly.

“You are…”

Ma Yeon-jeok, the former leader of the Divine Sword Squad, was a purple-robed martial artist of the Desolate Sect. He stood at the pinnacle of the White-Blue-Black-Purple hierarchy.

It was said that the intuition of supreme masters who had reached the realm of ascension and opened their upper dantian was terrifying.

Seeing Jeong Yeong-shin, who had called him grandfather, and the Desolate Sect leader with a faint smile, he couldn’t help but realize.

“Jeong from Jeong Family. Patriarch Jeong.”

“It’s our first meeting.”

Unlike Ma Yeon-jeok’s face, which was beginning to show shock, Jeong Yeong-shin remained calm.

The people from his mother’s side had never visited Xinye County.

It was said they didn’t even come for the wedding, nor after his mother passed away giving birth to him.

A story fit for gossip. They had all but severed ties with the daughter who married into a lower-class family.

Naturally, only the name of being in-laws with the Desolate Ma family remained.

“You’re my sister’s son?”

Looking to the side, he saw Ma Jin with his eyes wide open in shock.

Come to think of it, they shared the same surname.

There was a reason Ma Yeon-jeok and Ma Jin hadn’t formally greeted each other. Father and son, it seemed.

‘In martial arts families, the patriarch’s word is law. Perhaps their family rules forbade meetings.’

He thought it was a family of high status but no substance. Jeong Yeong-shin smiled slightly.

“You mentioned a master, but you’re my uncle? Or perhaps my great-uncle? I don’t know my maternal family tree. I was a cast-off child from my extinct paternal family.”

“…”

“I understand. Desolate Sect, Black rank. You wouldn’t have had time to visit a house with no sister.”

It was a pointed joke. Jeong Yeong-shin’s senses, just beginning to reach the level of a master, were sharp.

Sharp enough to have heard the conversation from the Desolate Sect leader’s office before even reaching the door.

– …You. I hear you have a grandson.

– Leader. How far could the blood of a trivial estate go? It’s fortunate if he doesn’t become a disgrace to the Desolate Ma family. This child is the heir. Though from a branch family, his talents are outstanding.

It was a blessing. Just looking at Ma Yeon-jeok’s troubled face told him enough.

A purple-robed supreme master would be able to gauge Jeong Yeong-shin’s achievements at a glance, and would also know that he had heard their conversation.

‘Thanks to my mother’s family, I survived the Tyrant Sword Sect Leader’s hand. That’s enough.’

He was thriving as a proper Desolate Master. Even the Desolate Sect leader had recognized his potential.

He would fulfill his duty. But that was all.

The Ma Family seemed unaware that the Jeong family had fallen into ruin.

Since they had completely cut off interest from their side, he didn’t want to awkwardly try to get close now.

Why cling when he could achieve everything on his own?

‘Such complicated relationships don’t help with martial arts.’

He needed to settle this here and now. He looked at the former Divine Sword Squad leader’s increasingly solemn face.

“…Leader. May I have a private word with that child?”

Jeong Yeong-shin immediately interjected at Ma Yeon-jeok’s request.

“I am the child of an outsider. As an Desolate Martial artist, I respect the achievements of my maternal grandfather, but further private conversation would be burdensome.”

“…”

Outsider. A term referring to a married daughter having no relation to her birth family. That’s how they had treated them. What more was there to say?

‘A family desperate enough for an heir to even adopt.’

Focused on martial arts now, he didn’t want to create complicated family matters.

What he had experienced growing up in the Jeong family was enough.

The Desolate Sect leader, who had been watching with interest, slowly spoke.

“Radiant Demon Wing’s Lightning Flash. Your spirit is admirable.”

His eyes curved slightly, to the point of beauty.

Jeong Yeong-shin gave a slight bow.

While somewhat puzzled at seemingly gaining favor, he felt at ease with the leader’s support.

That’s when it happened.

“I cannot accept this! How can such a person be grandfather’s direct descendant? How dare he be so disrespectful to the former Divine Sword Squad leader?”

It was the young man who had been standing with an uncomfortable expression all along.

The anger in his eyes was truly fierce. He seemed unaware that he was in the presence of the Desolate Sect leader.

“Your acceptance isn’t needed. I’m not part of the Desolate Ma family. I’m Radiant Demon Wing’s Lightning Flash.”

Jeong Yeong-shin remained calm throughout.

Suddenly, Heon Won-chang’s words came to mind. He had said that the martial arts world was full of brazen individuals who introduced their own nicknames.

“How dare you!”

He chuckled unconsciously, which seemed to be taken as provocation. The enraged young man turned to his step-grandfather.

“Please allow a martial arts match. I’ll prove that this person has no value as a blood relative.”

“There’s no particular reason to do that.”

Jeong Yeong-shin interjected.

“If you’re asking for a lesson, I can oblige. But I have no obligation to prove my worth to you or your family. Even the leader can’t give such a personal order.”

It was a completely condescending statement.

Jeong Yeong-shin’s white robe fluttered slightly as he looked directly at the young man.

The unintentional aura emanating from him was now speaking for his status as a powerful figure.

While Ma Jin remained silent, the young man snorted in disbelief and raised his hand as if ready to strike.

‘He’s mainly trained in fist techniques.’

A glint appeared in Jeong Yeong-shin’s eyes. He had noticed the pair of hand-blades hanging at the young man’s waist.

Simultaneously, he withdrew his aura. The instantaneous disappearance of his energy wave demonstrated his ability to control his inner force.

“Please forgive my rudeness. I showed an unrestrained attitude.”

He apologized to the Desolate Sect leader with clasped hands for carelessly revealing his energy.

Amidst the confusion, Ma Jin looked proud, while Ma Yeon-jeok’s expression darkened further.

“That’s enough arguing.”

She quietly moved her lips.

“Yeon-juk is like an old friend to me, and Lightning Flash is a promising subordinate. Their conflict is troublesome, so it’s best to resolve it as martial artists. Stake what you each desire. Do you agree with my opinion?”

Jeong Yeong-shin stared at the Desolate Sect leader’s beautiful face. Her expression was hard to read.

She smiled.

“Lightning Flash. I know there’s no benefit for you. As a courtesy to the former Divine Sword Squad leader’s friend, I’ll grant you one request, regardless of the outcome.”

“Even that?”

Jeong Yeong-shin boldly asked. He was referring to the fruit of the World Tree.

The Desolate Sect leader’s smile deepened.

“That’s still difficult, even if the retired Yeon-juk asked. He’s already been compensated for his merits as the Divine Sword Squad leader. However, I can teach you one of my signature techniques.”

“Martial arts…!”

It meant learning from a peerless master close to being the world’s finest.

A rare opportunity in the world was being discussed right before their eyes.

It seemed extraordinary even for the Desolate Ma family’s adopted son.

Greed flashed across the face of the young man standing next to the surprised Ma Yeon-jeok.

He looked like he might demand martial arts instruction rather than following his step-grandfather’s wishes if he won.

‘His intentions are so obvious. My maternal family is interesting too. Taking in such a person as heir.’

He wondered if the young man’s qualities were really that outstanding. Anyway, since the conditions had clearly improved, he nodded readily.

“I’ll do it.”

* * *

They headed to the training ground behind the main hall.

The leader’s rare appearance outside drew attention. However, no one dared to follow.

Ma Yeon-jeok tried to subtly approach to strike up a conversation, but Jeong Yeong-shin boldly stuck close to the Desolate Sect leader. She chuckled.

“Make yourself comfortable. This place is for my sole use.”

Her training ground was incredibly luxurious. Even the floor was unusual.

Various priceless weapons were lined up on stone racks, and the vast floor was entirely marble.

It seemed almost a shame to step on it with martial footwork.

‘This must be the spoils from conquering the Dali Kingdom in Yunnan.’

The Desolate Sect leader was said to be the emperor’s divine sword.

There had been several instances of erasing royal families of small countries or large sects showing signs of rebellion.

That’s why her name was never omitted when discussing the world’s finest.

It was hard to imagine where such immense divine authority was housed in her delicate body.

“This should be a good spot to watch from.”

The leader quietly stopped at one side of the training ground.

Her long eyelashes were like a painting, and her light green windbreaker that reached her ankles fluttered gently in the spring breeze.

‘Oh?’

Jeong Yeong-shin hesitated for a moment. He had just noticed the precious sword hanging at her waist.

He realized that until now, he had perceived it not as a sword, but as a part of nature. It was beyond the level of sword-self unification he had learned.

‘It’s chilling. What level is that?’

At that moment, his eyes met those of the Desolate Sect leader as she turned her head. Her red lips formed a smooth curve.

“You have good eyes.”

“I apologize.”

The young man standing with Jeong Yeong-shin in the center of the training ground sneered.

He had already donned elegant black hand-blades on both hands. It was equipment befitting the heir of the Desolate Ma family, famous for their fist techniques.

“Did you get distracted by the leader’s grace? You lowly creature.”

“Aren’t you from a branch family?”

“How dare you…!”

Jeong Yeong-shin didn’t respond further and slightly closed his eyes.

‘I learned from this mission.’

The conviction he gained after killing the Blood Swordmaster.

He could obtain the fruit of the World Tree on his own.

They said martial arts training was like climbing a thousand-foot cliff barehanded. That’s what orthodox martial artists said.

Dark arts, blood techniques, or demonic arts that harm others and oneself weren’t even considered martial arts.

Only by purely building up martial arts could one truly reach the ultimate level, which was like cultivating the Way.

It was different for Jeong Yeong-shin. It wasn’t a steep cliff, but well-paved stairs. He, who breathed in the realm of martial arts, was no different from a fish swimming in the deep sea.

‘Radiant Demon Wing is enough.’

The martial arts expanse he was unfolding in the Desolate Sect was like that. It was fertile beyond imagination of any lack.

To the extent that he could plant his own seeds and grow anything.

That’s why he didn’t need the Desolate Ma family.

“Come.”

Jeong Yeong-shin opened his eyes and slowly gestured.

“Hah!”

The enraged young man didn’t hesitate. He charged forward with an unfamiliar stance, kicking off the ground.

‘Energy is emanating from his entire body.’

Thud!

He deflected the incoming fist with the back of his hand, but the power behind the strike was truly immense.

He had to instantly increase the strength in his elbow significantly.

Whoosh!

The aftermath of the energy tore at his clothes. Whether from consuming precious elixirs, his energy far surpassed Jeong Yeong-shin’s.

He immediately imbued the principle of time-force into his body’s energy.

The energy circulating throughout his body overlapped to multiply his strength at crucial moments.

From then on, it was all about sensation. His hands, following the Radiant Demon formation, began to break apart the opponent’s fist techniques piece by piece.

Thud! Thud! Boom!

The Desolate Ma family’s fist technique was linear. Each strike was heavy, with continuous flowing movements.

It seemed to put full power into each hit, but suddenly energy would burst from the opposite fist.

With various principles harmoniously mixed, it couldn’t help but feel more powerful.

‘So this is what true strong fists are like.’

Despite his seemingly rash personality, he had properly learned the famous martial arts.

The occasional display of exquisite movements was very impressive.

…Enough to inspire new ideas in Jeong Yeong-shin’s mind.

“Why don’t you draw your sword!”

“Because your fist technique is excellent.”

He casually answered while spinning like a leaf to break the elbow strike.

He was reverse-engineering.

After seeing the opponent unleash his energy, he realized such a state was possible and began to comprehend the energy manipulation method.

It was completely backwards.

“You…!”

Boom!

The marble floor caved in.

A strong wind blew with the fist that shot out with his footwork, but Jeong Yeong-shin lightly deflected the punch like a leaf riding the wind and landed.

“I’ve also thought of a strong fist technique. Ten forms should do now.”

A blue-green lightning flashed in his eyes.

At a distance, three masters were observing the match.

Seeing Jeong Yeong-shin’s body-protecting technique reminiscent of noble families, they each had different expressions, with Ma Yeon-jeok furrowing his brow with a complex look.

“He talks about ten forms from there? No matter how extraordinary his talent is…”

“No. That statement probably…”

Ma Jin, who had been silent for a moment, spoke again with difficulty.

“It doesn’t mean he’ll end it in ten moves, but that he’ll create ten forms in that time.”